George stormed out of Principal Morgan's office, his shoes striking the tiled floor like war drums. His jaw was set tight, anger riding him as he descended the steps of the school. Outside, the air felt colder, thicker. His eyes caught on his children — Gabriel and Gemma with clingy Mia, standing near the gate, waiting.
Mia's small fingers clung to Gemma's sleeve, refusing to let go. She was almost trembling, her wide eyes darting between gemma and the empty road. She had grown clingier since the fog of strange events, shadowing Gemma's every move as if afraid she would vanish too.
George's gaze lingered on Gemma, unreadable. He almost said something — a command, a warning — but swallowed it and motioned instead.
"Let's go," he muttered, voice clipped.
The family began walking toward the car. That was when it happened.
From across the compound, the visitor — tall, foreign, and unnervingly poised — stepped out of the building. His coat shifted with the breeze as he paused mid-step. His eyes locked onto Gemma.
It wasn't a casual glance. It was piercing, deliberate, as if he had been searching for her all along.
Gemma froze, her feet halting without reason. Her stillness drew Gabriel's attention, and he followed her line of sight. For the briefest second, Gabriel saw the stranger's expression — not curiosity, not politeness, but recognition. A recognition that tightened the air.
The stranger inclined his head slightly, almost like a bow, before finally turning away. His driver opened the sleek black car door for him. He slid inside without another word.
But Gabriel had noticed something else — the way Aveline had slipped out of a corridor nearby, her gaze darting between Gemma and the departing car, her lips curling in that too-calm, too-knowing smile.
As the car rolled away, Gabriel's heart raced. He couldn't take it anymore. He left his father's side, ignored his mother's call, and strode straight toward Miss Aveline.
She was waiting, as though she had known he would come.
"Mr. Gabriel," she said, her voice smooth, carrying an edge of mockery. "At last, you've found your courage."
Gabriel stopped a few feet away, fists clenched.
"You know something," he said, his voice sharp, low. "About Gemma. About all of this. And I want answers."
Aveline tilted her head, eyes glinting like a predator's.
"Careful," she whispered. "When you ask for truth, it rarely comes alone."